Best The Block Party Network Podcasts (2025)

1
Planning your next vacation? Here’s how to be a good tourist 21:03

13h ago21:03

21:03

“Tourists go home," protesters chant in Spain, and they’re not alone. People in many European countries say they want tourists to stay away — but only the bad ones. So as you plan your next vacation, we get some advice on how to be a better tourist.

1
Why Michael Crummey is interested in places on the edge 24:11

13h ago24:11

24:11

Michael Crummey has won the $154,000 Dublin Literary Award for his book The Adversary, which explores familiar themes around life at the ocean's edge. Matt Galloway spoke with the author at the Woody Point Writers Festival in Newfoundland in Sept. 2023, to discuss isolation, vulgarity and the responsibility that comes with telling the stories of ho…

1
5 years after George Floyd: What changed, and what hasn’t? 19:09

13h ago19:09

19:09

“I did not see humanity provided to Mr. Floyd that day,” says Medaria Arradondo, the Minneapolis police chief at the time of George Floyd’s murder. Five years after Floyd was murdered in an interaction with police officers Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, Matt Galloway talks to former police chief Arradondo and civil rig…

1
Walking with Dinosaurs is back — and Alberta takes centre stage 10:51

14h ago10:51

10:51

Do you have fond memories of Walking with Dinosaurs, the much-loved BBC series that aired back in 1999. If your answer is yes, you and all dinosaur lovers are in luck — it’s coming back this summer, and Alberta is taking centre stage. Matt Galloway talks to Emily Bamforth, the lead scientist of the Pipestone Creek Bonebed in Alberta and a fan of th…

1
‘Not again’: Why does drunk driving persist among young men? 18:42

14h ago18:42

18:42

Tanya Hansen Pratt was frustrated to hear of three children killed in a Toronto highway crash this week — she lost her own mother to a young drunk driver almost 30 years ago. With a 19-year-old now facing multiple impaired-driving charges, we dig into why young men still take the most risks on the road, and how to talk to them about drunk driving.…

1
This town had just one graduate, so they threw a prom for one 13:03

14h ago13:03

13:03

Breanna Bromley-Clarke is the only student graduating from her tiny school in Main Brook, N.L. So the small town of about 200 people is throwing her a party — a very special prom for one.

1
Inside the swarming attack that killed a homeless man in Toronto 24:02

14h ago24:02

24:02

New details have emerged about the 2022 swarming attack that killed a homeless man in Toronto, after a judge ruled that strip searches conducted on the accused teenage girls were unconstitutional. Toronto Star crime reporter Jennifer Pagliaro walks us through what happened that night, and why this judge’s ruling will affect sentencing.…

1
What we learned after the hockey trial jury was dismissed 11:22

13h ago11:22

11:22

In an “extraordinary” development, the jury has been dismissed in the sexual assault trial of five ex-world junior hockey players. The Globe and Mail’s investigative reporter Robyn Doolittle explains what a judge-only trial could mean for the case, and why the jury’s dismissal means new details can now be reported…

1
Canada threatens Israel with sanctions over Gaza aid crisis 19:40

13h ago19:40

19:40

Canada, France and the U.K. are threatening sanctions against Israel over its 11-week blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and plans to escalate military action in the enclave. Matt Galloway talks to Jon Allen, former Canadian ambassador to Israel; and UNICEF spokesperson James Elder about the mounting international pressure on Israel — and …

1
How teenagers can start to manage their money 24:15

13h ago24:15

24:15

Managing money is always challenging, and it’s even trickier when you’re a teenager. In her new book Making Bank, Money Skills for Real Life, certified financial planner Shannon Lee Simmons offers advice for teens: from budgeting and saving for things you enjoy, to dealing with the constant wave of influencers trying to sell them something.…

1
How gene editing saved a baby’s life 15:52

13h ago15:52

15:52

“A triumph of science, a miracle of medicine” is how researcher Fyodor Urnov describes the gene-editing treatment that saved baby KJ Muldoon’s life. Now nine months old, KJ was born with a genetic condition called urea cycle disorder, which is fatal for many infants. Urnov was part of the research team supporting KJ's doctors, he tells us what gene…

1
Does your cat have behavioural issues? Here’s some help 23:58

1d ago23:58

23:58

Have you ever thought of training your cat, just like you would your dog? Did you say no… or are you laughing in disbelief? A cat behavior specialist says you can, and explains what we are getting wrong about cats — especially about the ones with behavioural issues.

1
Mark Carney promised affordable housing. Will he deliver? 19:48

1d ago19:48

19:48

“Build baby, build” is how Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to tackle Canada’s housing crisis, but his new housing minister says that won’t mean reducing house prices. Matt Galloway asks housing experts to unpack the new Liberal government’s strategy, and unpick the “Gordian Knot” of whether Canada can create affordable housing without prices dro…

1
China now leads in green energy. What does that mean for the west? 23:53

1d ago23:53

23:53

China is still the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, but is now also leading the way in clean energy. Where does that leave Canada and other western nations in the renewables race, particularly in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise to “drill baby, drill”?

1
Wildfire season is almost here. What can Canada expect? 19:28

15h ago19:28

19:28

Wildfire season hasn’t officially started, but Manitoba has already declared a state of emergency after a deadly blaze in Lac du Bonnet. Guest host Mark Kelley breaks down the fire forecast and top-of-mind questions with Ed Struzik, author of The Future of Fire, and climatologist emeritus David Phillips.…

1
What it’s like growing up as a ‘restaurant kid’ 24:57

15h ago24:57

24:57

Rachel Phan was three years old when her parents opened a restaurant in Kingsville, Ont., a venture that quickly ate up most of their time and energy. In a conversation from last month, the Chinese-Canadian author discusses her new memoir, Restaurant Kid, and why she felt like the restaurant had stolen her parents away from her.…

1
Why the ban on nudity at Cannes red carpet is ‘hypocritical’ 12:13

7d ago12:13

12:13

Halle Berry had an emergency outfit change at the Cannes Film Festival this week, after organizers implemented a new dress code that bans nudity and “voluminous outfits,” especially those with large trains. Fashion critic Katharine Zarrella says the new rules are hypocritical: demanding women cover up on the red carpet, while celebrating and commer…

1
Menendez brothers are eligible for parole. Will they walk free? 11:52

3d ago11:52

11:52

After 35 years behind bars for murdering their parents, Erik and Lyle Menendez will now have a chance at parole. Investigative journalist Robert Rand has covered this story since the 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez, even uncovering new evidence along the way.

1
The top 10 vacation spots in Canada — voted by you! 17:04

3d ago17:04

17:04

Where’s the best place to visit in Canada? For weeks, listeners have been voting for the vacation spots they love across this big, beautiful country to build The Current’s travel bucket list. Rick Mercer joined Matt Galloway earlier this month to reveal the top 10. Did your favourite place make the list?…

1
U.S. border towns lose tourism dollars as Canadians stay home 19:26

3d ago19:26

19:26

Canadian tourists were once regular shoppers at Ali Hayton’s grocery store in Washington state, but these days she’s more likely to get “nasty emails” from Canadians angry about U.S. tariffs. Guest host Mark Kelley talks to business owners about the sharp drop in Canadians travelling to the U.S., and the impact on border communities who rely on tou…

1
85. DDD The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Session 15 1:31:20

4d ago1:31:20

1:31:20

Wow it’s been a while! The group talks to a kind stranger in a cave. They talk to a kind centaur in a forest. And then they head off to talk to who they hope are kind children that can help The Breakfast Dudes deal with Skabatha, or Granny Nightshade as she is known in these parts. But instead the group meets a very unkind orc!…

1
Making friends as an adult is hard. Here are some tips 16:06

4d ago16:06

16:06

We all know that making friends as an adult is difficult. Everyone’s busy with their families and careers, while time online and remote work is leaving some people increasingly isolated. We meet some young adults finding creative new ways to meet potential new friends in the real world, from dinner with perfect strangers to making conversation at a…

1
Visiting a Mennonite community where measles is spreading 19:26

4d ago19:26

19:26

A Mennonite community at the centre of Ontario’s measles outbreak, one woman says she trusts remedies made from dandelions and strawberries more than modern medicine. The Current’s James Chaarani went there to speak with community members, and found a deep distrust of vaccines and the medicine system.…

1
What will Trump’s pledge to lift sanctions mean for Syria? 22:26

4d ago22:26

22:26

U.S. President Donald Trump surprised the world by pledging to lift crippling sanctions on Syria this week. We dig into what this means for rebuilding the country after the fall of Assad, both for Syrians who have grown up in the brutality of the civil war, and those who fled and are longing to return home.…

1
Inside the courtroom at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial 10:26

4d ago10:26

10:26

Sean (Diddy) Combs is facing life in prison over sex trafficking and racketeering charges, related to elaborate sex parties called "freak-offs” that were allegedly laced with violence and abuse. Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, has pleaded not guilty. Reuters journalist Jack Queen takes us inside the New York courtroom, where Combs’ ex-girlfriend, …

1
Carney unveils his cabinet. Is it the change Canadians want? 19:49

5d ago19:49

19:49

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet has two dozen new faces, but Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the presence of some Trudeau-era ministers looks like “more of the same.” Can Carney reassure Canadians that he’s bringing the change they voted for? Matt Galloway takes the political pulse with the CBC’s Rosemary Barton and Kathleen Petty an…

1
Are you an explorer? Alex Hutchinson says we all are 24:59

5d ago24:59

24:59

Alex Hutchinson knows all about the thrill of discovery, having ventured deep into the wilderness of far-flung places like Tasmania. In his new book, The Explorer's Gene, the journalist argues that we’re hardwired with that desire to embrace uncertainty and the unknown — and looks at what happens if we stop.…

1
Will AI make us better writers? Or kill our critical thinking? 24:17

5d ago24:17

24:17

If you’ve tried to write an email or opened a blank document recently, some kind of AI assistant has likely offered to polish your words — or even write whole sentences for you. Some advocates argue that generative AI could open up a new frontier in writing, but others warn it’s dulling our creativity and critical thinking for the sake of efficienc…

1
DM-Nastics: Dayeimbe March; Lycille Village 26:56

6d ago26:56

26:56

Welcome back to DM-Nastics - the gym for Dungeon Masters to work out their minds!Content: We talk about vampire school marms and more!Inspiration: The world of Dayeimbe!Exercise: Dayeimbe March; Lycille VillageTaking Your Supplements: RiverBankTwitter: @DMs_Block DM Neal's @joatmoniac DM Celeste's @cconowitchBlueSky: @dmsblock.bsky.social Discord: …

1
Alberta separatists unveil ballot question, call for 2025 referendum 20:09

6d ago20:09

20:09

"Do you agree that the province shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada?" That’s the ballot question proposed by the Alberta Prosperity Project, a group pushing for a referendum on Alberta leaving Canada by the end of the year. We look at support for independence in the province — and why the APP says they’re confident…

1
Adulting 101: How Gen Z fell behind on basic life skills 24:09

6d ago24:09

24:09

Some schools are offering so-called adulting 101 courses, teaching Gen Zers basic skills like cooking, cleaning or changing a tire. Some social scientists call it “delayed adulthood,” the phenomenon of younger people lacking life skills that past generations took for granted.

1
How politics bleeds into the UFC and mixed martial arts 24:15

6d ago24:15

24:15

Mixed martial arts can count some big-name politicians among its millions of fans, with Donald Trump and Pierre Poilievre attending recent Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts. We dig into the sport’s intersection with politics, and the corners of the sport that seem to be embracing the manosphere, toxic masculinity and, in some cases, far-right fi…

1
Dyslexia made Phil Hanley feel stupid. He wants kids today to skip that shame 24:17

7d ago24:17

24:17

The comedian Phil Hanley remembers his school teachers calling him lazy and stupid, when in truth he was struggling with dyslexia. In his new memoir Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith, Hanley writes about how his mother defended him in an unsympathetic education system, and why he doesn’t want dyslexic kids today to feel the shame he did.…

1
Why Ed Yong thinks birding is ‘quietly radical’ 15:03

7d ago15:03

15:03

Ed Yong has “birder derangement syndrome,” a condition that’s entirely made up but may be familiar to other birding enthusiasts. In a conversation from last spring, the science writer tells Matt Galloway how the joy of birding saved him from pandemic burnout and radically changed how he interacts with nature.…

1
Bird populations are in steep decline, study suggests 9:16

7d ago9:16

9:16

Bird populations across North America have fallen by billions over the last 50 years, according to a staggering report from Cornell University. Researcher Amanda Rodewald explains what’s happening, and why common birds like sparrows, blackbirds and finches are suffering the greatest losses.

1
Worried about money? Our experts answer your questions 20:10

7d ago20:10

20:10

Are you worried about U.S. tariffs squeezing your retirement investments? Anxious about losing your job? Or afraid that inflation will make it harder to put food on the table? With economic uncertainty fuelling fears of recession, Matt Galloway puts your financial questions to economist Armine Yalnizyan and certified financial planner Shannon Lee S…

1
Fears of empty shelves as U.S. tariffs disrupt supply lines 10:33

10d ago10:33

10:33

Trump’s economic fight with China has already led to a drop in cargo coming into U.S. ports. Supply chain experts are warning that tariffs could soon mean half-empty shelves and higher prices south of the border, which could have a knock-on effect for Canada.

1
The surprisingly moving tale of Alberta’s gopher museum 12:40

10d ago12:40

12:40

There’s something undeniably special about Alberta’s World Famous Gopher Hole Museum, with its taxidermied rodents kitted out as firefighters, hair stylists, or even enjoying a game of curling. The CBC’s Allison Dempster went to Torrington, Alta., to find out how the town came up with such an unusual tourist attraction — and why it ended up drawing…

1
Drilling into Arctic ice to spy 20,000 years into the past 11:16

10d ago11:16

11:16

A small group of Canadian and Danish scientists have been drilling deep into the ice on Axel Heiberg Island, on the western edge of the Arctic Ocean. Ice core scientist Alison Criscitiello explains why drilling into the ice cap can give us a glimpse into the Earth’s past.

1
Putin, Trump, Zelenskyy: What 3 personalities mean for peace in Ukraine 19:49

10d ago19:49

19:49

Hopes for peace in Ukraine rest with three men: the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Journalists Simon Shuster and Luke Harding have covered this conflict and its characters in depth. They join Matt Galloway to share their insights into each leader’s personalities and motivations.…

1
The new pope is an American. Here’s why that’s surprising 13:56

10d ago13:56

13:56

Cardinal Robert Prevost is the first American pontiff, choosing the name Pope Leo XIV. Jesuit priest and journalist Father Sam Sawyer explains why that surprised some people, as did the new pope’s social media rebuke, earlier this year, of JD Vance and the Trump administration’s treatment of migrants and asylum seekers.…

1
The Current Introduces | Understood: Who Broke the Internet 38:01

11d ago38:01

38:01

It's not you — the internet really does suck. Novelist, blogger and noted internet commentator Cory Doctorow explains what happened to the internet and why you're tormented by ads, bots, algorithms, AI slop and so many pop-ups. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an accident. In Understood: Who Broke the Internet, Doctorow gets into the decisions made by powe…

1
310: Tier 4 Play (feat. Blastin Astrid) 1:08:15

11d ago1:08:15

1:08:15

DMs Neal and Derrick sit down with Blastin Astrid and talk about the ways to tackle Tier 4 Play in our campaigns! Blastin Astrid - Instagram Blastin Astrid - TikTok Patreon @DMs_BlockDiscordFacebookStitcheriTunesdungeonmasterblock@gmail.com Knocked Prone Badventure Club Episode edited by: Neal Powell…

1
Is Israel flouting international law by blocking Gaza aid? 19:20

11d ago19:20

19:20

Israel has blocked any humanitarian aid from entering Gaza for two months, with aid agencies now warning that thousands of children are experiencing severe malnutrition. Matt Galloway talks to lawyer Michael Byers about what Israel’s obligations are under international law, and Moumen al-Natour, a lawyer who has organized public demonstrations agai…

1
The fight to save the axolotl, an ever-smiling salamander 9:55

11d ago9:55

9:55

The axolotl is a salamander that always appears to be smiling, making them popular as aquarium pets or as characters in video games like Minecraft. But the species is endangered in their natural habitat in Mexico, where researchers are working hard to preserve them.

1
Air traffic controllers lose sight of planes for 90 seconds 20:41

11d ago20:41

20:41

Air traffic controllers reportedly lost track of planes for 90 seconds at Newark airport recently in a chaotic radar outage that prompted some staff to take stress leave. We look at what led to this nightmare scenario, and what needs to be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

1
Remember when the internet was… good? What happened? 15:49

11d ago15:49

15:49

The internet was once a user-friendly place built to connect people, but now it’s rife with bots picking fights, AI fakery and algorithms hellbent on selling you something. In the new CBC podcast Understood: Who Broke the Internet?, tech journalist Cory Doctorow breaks down what he calls the "enshittification" of the internet — and who’s responsibl…

1
What Trump’s 100% tariffs would mean for Canadian film and TV 19:47

12d ago19:47

19:47

U.S. President Donald Trump has promised 100 per cent tariffs on movies produced outside the United States — but no one is quite sure what that means. We look at what’s driving film and television productions out of the U.S., and what tariffs would mean for workers here in Canada.

1
Electing a pope is like The Traitors, says Conclave author Robert Harris 12:14

12d ago12:14

12:14

Robert Harris got rare access to the Vatican as he was writing Conclave, the novel that inspired the 2024 film starring Ralph Fiennes. He joins Matt Galloway to dig into what will happen behind closed doors as cardinals convene today to elect the next pope — and explains why the group dynamics aren't that different from a reality TV show.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

The Block Party Network Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen